From Super Bowl 59 to a latest addition to the Witcher universe, we round up our top 10 shows to watch this week
1. The ’90s Boy Band Boom – Saturday, February 8, KTLA
Viewers are given a front-row seat for this probing look at the peak era of boy bands, told by those who lived it. Achieving massive stardom as teenagers, performing for millions, boy band members such as A.J. McLean (Backstreet Boys), Chris Kirkpatrick (*NSYNC), Drew Lachey (98 Degrees), Darrin Dewitt Henson (Trilogy), Erik-Michael Estrada (O-Town)and female teen pop sensation Tiffany all share their experiences of growing up on the road while coping with explosive fame, personal drama and extreme fandom. Also interviewed are former MTV VJ Dave Holmes and music video director Wayne Isham.
2. Super Bowl LIX – Sunday, February 9, CTV, TSN1 & Fox
QB Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs look to expand their already-impressive dynasty by becoming the first team ever to score three straight Super Bowl titles. Standing in their way? The Philadelphia Eagles, who are looking for their second Super Bowl win in franchise history. As a bonus, Kendrick Lamar takes to the stage for this year’s Halftime Show.
3. Surviving Blackhawk Down – Monday, February 10, Netflix | Series Premiere
It was back in 2001 that director Ridley Scott unveiled Black Hawk Down, a gritty war movie dramatizing actual events that took place during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, when two Black Hawk helicopters lowering U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force soldiers to the ground were brought down in a Somali sneak attack. That harrowing incident forms the basis of this new three-part documentary that aims the camera at the actual soldiers — and the Somali civilians — who survived the Battle of Mogadishu, allowing them to recall their experiences in their own words. “Produced by Ridley Scott Associates and directed by Jack MacInnes, the series features interviews, re-enactments, and shocking footage captured on the ground before, during and after the bloodshed, providing a multifaceted perspective on a day that forever changed the lives of everyone involved,” states a Netflix release.
Among those who share their stories are residents of Mogadishu — including militiamen who fought against U.S. forces, local women who found themselves trapped in a war zone with nowhere to hide, and a local party photographer who inadvertently became a war documentarian when a personal sense of duty to capture the reality of what was happening in his city prompted him to bring his camera to the front lines. Click here to watch trailer.
4. Match Point – Tuesday, February 11, Prime Video & Apple TV+ | Series Premiere
Fittingly debuting the week of the Super Bowl, a new sports comedy stars two former football champs — Vernon Davis and Omar Bolden, teammates on the 2016 Denver Broncos. The twist? They’re not playing footballers. Rather, they’re ex-tennis stars struggling to kick off a podcast.
Per The Hollywood Reporter: “The series follows their behind-the-scenes efforts to launch the podcast alongside a high-strung producer [Ashley Haas] and a ratings-obsessed talent booker [Rob Gordon], all while dealing with pushy executives and a dysfunctional crew.”
Another unconventional little quirk: the show is not streaming or airing on any individual platform — but rather is available for purchase on-demand via both Prime Video and Apple.
As creator Joslyn Rose Lyons said in a release: “My vision was to create a project that not only entertains but also pushes the boundaries of storytelling — blending mockumentary with new media and breaking the fourth wall. As artists, we embrace the freedom of expression, where comedy uncovers deeper meaning and invites audiences to find light in the most unexpected places.” For his part, Davis, also an executive producer here, said: “I’m excited about the unique blend of comedy and mockumentary in this project — it’s a fresh take on podcasting like you’ve never seen before . . .”
5. The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep – Tuesday, February 11, Netflix
Fans of Netflix fantasy series The Witcher won’t want to miss this standalone animated feature that expands the Witcher universe. Doug Cockle, who provides the voice of sword-swinging protagonist Geralt of Rivia in the video games that inspired the series, reprises his role in The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. When Geralt is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village, he finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and sea-dwelling merpeople. He must count on friends — old and new — to solve the mystery before hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into an all-out war. “I am super excited to announce my return to the world of The Witcher voicing Geralt of Rivia once again,” Cockle told Netflix’s Tudum. “I’m thrilled to be able to share this next chapter of the White Wolf’s journey with fans of the Witcher universe.” In addition, Anya Chalotra reprises her video game role as Yennefer of Vengerberg.
6. Felipe Esparza: Raging Fool – Tuesday, February 11, Netflix
Returning to Netflix with his second special following 2020’s Bad Decisions, Felipe Esparza cracks wise on the tough love he got from his Mexican mom, keeping things spicy in his marriage and “why dairy is more dangerous than drugs.”
Filmed at Sacramento’s Crest Theatre during Esparza’s 2024 “At My Leisure” world tour, the 48-year-old Sinaloa native isn’t averse to getting topical with his humour — but above all aims to offer us an escape from the complexities and perplexities of the world.
As he told ABC15 in September: “[The audience] can expect to laugh a lot, and I’m bringing in, like, 100 per cent new material that they haven’t heard. A lot of people right now are fighting over their football teams . . . There’s a lot of rivalries, people are fighting politically — but my show has none of that. It’s just humour.”
7. Muslim Matchmaker – Tuesday, February 11, Disney+ | Series Premiere
Adding some much-needed diversity to the reality romance world, this series from the creator of Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking follows marriage consultants Yasmin Elhady and Hoda Abrahim as they lend their expertise to Muslim-Americans who are trying to wade through the treacherous waters of the dating pool while also staying true to the tenets of their faith.
Across eight episodes, Yasmin and Hoda employ a refreshingly old-school approach to helping folks find their soulmates. As the press release puts it: “This duo isn’t messing around with modern dating apps and hook-up culture, but instead swear by their cardinal ‘Rules of Three:’ three dates, three months and three hundred questions (yes, you read that right!). From cringey first dates to moments of profound connection, Hoda and Yasmin support their clients in navigating the complexities of dating with the intention of marriage while staying true to their values and beliefs.”
As creator Smriti Mundhra teased in a statement: “This series offers lessons on love for audiences of all backgrounds. Hoda and Yasmin are absolute geniuses at helping single people find true connection amid the toxicity of modern dating culture and their Rules of Three approach is the most effective — and sometimes challenging! — methodology I’ve seen in my decades of experience in the world of matchmaking.”
Adds Senain Kheshgi, the primary episodic director on Muslim Matchmaker: “The series stands as a beacon of joy, wisdom and family, and presents Muslims as integral threads in the American fabric — with our own unique journeys, struggles and triumphs. Hoda and Yasmin’s guidance reminds us of the enduring strength of Muslim traditions and the wisdom they offer in navigating modern life.” Click here to watch trailer.
8. The Z-Suite – Thursday, February 13, Tubi
As the so-called “streaming wars” continue to rage between the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple et al., one unexpected contender that’s emerged in recent years is Tubi — which has quietly racked up viewership numbers that are surprisingly competitive with many of the big boys.
Naturally, with that success comes an increased push from Tubi to develop its own original series — the latest of which hits the ad-supported streamer this Thursday.
It’s described as “a workplace comedy set at a boutique New York ad agency where generational divides see the established C-Suite and rising Gen Z employees collide. After a company decision spirals out of control, the agency’s reigning executives are pushed out and the ‘Z-Suite’ employees are suddenly put in charge, ultimately testing both generations’ skills and patience.”
The ensemble is led by Gilmore Girls and Parenthood great Lauren Graham. She plays Monica, the company’s erstwhile, middle-aged CEO — who is suddenly forced to try and claw back the power and prestige she’s lost by working with baby-faced bosses who used to be her subordinates. Superstore’s Nico Santos co-stars as Doug, Monica’s “exuberant and loyal” No. 2.
The series hails from creator Katie O’Brien, whose previous comedy writing credits include scripts for Teachers and The Santa Clauses.
Said leading lady Graham in a press release: “When I first read the script for THE Z-SUITE, I responded to Katie O’Brien’s fresh and funny take on the workplace. The character of Monica is smart, strong and appealingly a bit unhinged. I’m excited to work with the team at Tubi as they ramp up their Originals slate and continue their ascent in the streaming space.” Click here to watch the trailer.
9. Sly Lives (aka the Burden of Black Genius) – Thursday, February 13, Disney+
Melding pyschedelic rock and hard-driving funk with hip-swaying soul, Sly and the Family Stone charted a head-spinning array of hits in the late 1960s and early ’70s, including “Stand,” “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and many more.
But what happened to the group’s namesake leader and guiding force, Sly Stone? That’s the question at the heart of a new documentary from filmmaker/musician Ahmir K. Thompson, a.k.a. The Roots’ drummer and bandleader, Questlove, who earned an Oscar nomination for his debut documentary, 2021’s Summer of Soul.
After reaching the pinnacle of the music industry, eccentric genius Stone (whose real name is Sylvester Stewart) spiralled into a sad, drug-fuelled decline that left him a recluse, and, eventually, homeless. Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), “captures the band’s rise, reign and subsequent fadeout while shedding light on the unseen burden that comes for Black artists in America,” reads a press release.
Among those to share their insights are Andre 3000, D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Q-Tip, Nile Rodgers, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, George Clinton, Ruth Copeland and legendary record exec Clive Davis. Other interviewees include former bandmates Jerry Martini, Greg Errico, Larry Graham and the late Cynthia Robinson, and several members of his family.
“I’m realizing that every project I work on has a surprise element,” Questlove said in an interview with Mojo. “With Summer of Soul, you learn one thing: ‘Oh, I didn’t know a music festival happened in Harlem [in 1969].’ But you also learn that Black joy is as important as the Black tears and bloodshed of the civil rights movement. This Sly doc isn’t really about Sly. It’s about why artists self-sabotage.” Click here to watch trailer.
10. The Gorge – Friday, February 14, Apple TV+
Hitting Apple TV+, not coincidentally, on Valentine’s Day, a new film from Doctor Strange and The Black Phone director Scott Derrickson presents a romance that’s steeped in its filmmaker’s love of action and horror.
Whiplash’s Miles Teller and The Queen’s Gambit alum Anya Taylor-Joy play a pair of soldiers from different nations, posted as sentries on opposite sides of a vast gorge in the middle of nowhere — tasked with standing guard in case whatever highly classified evil that resides down below happens to rear its ugly head.
Yet as they keep watch over this unknowable expanse, their gazes also turn to one another, and a bond forms from afar. So, when one of them is compelled to venture into this morass, the other follows — and together they unravel a mystery that will change both of their lives . . . and perhaps, the world itself. Click here to watch trailer.